BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an operation section structure of a treatment instrument
for endoscopic use inserted into an operation channel of an endoscope apparatus.
Background Art
[0002] Treatment instruments for endoscopic use inserted into an operation channel provided
along a scope of an endoscope apparatus are commonly known (see Patent Document 1)
for conducting various treatments. The distal end mechanism of these procedure instruments
differs in accordance with the purpose of the treatment, e.g., sampling, or tissue
cautery. Sometimes, procedure instruments, in an attempt to obtain more desirable
correlation between a target site tissue and the distal end mechanism, require rotatable
distal end mechanisms in many cases.
[0003] A conventional treatment instrument for endoscopic use in this case requires the
rotation of a slider having a wire fixed to the distal end mechanism and to the wire,
and a main unit having a tubular sheath surrounding the outer periphery of the wire
and fixed to the main unit.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. S57-145654
[0004] However, the aforementioned operation has an annoying drawback because the operator
must release their hand from the main unit and re-grasp the endoscope apparatus to
provide rotation.
[0005] Another treatment instrument for endoscopic use has a high-frequency power supply
for supplying high-frequency electric current to a distal end structure thereof, and
in many cases, a cable connects the high-frequency power supply with a current-carrying
plug provided to the slider. The aforementioned operation will meet a difficult problem
because the use of such a procedure instrument that rotates the main unit causes the
cable to become entangled around the main unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention was conceived in consideration of the aforementioned circumstances,
and an object thereof is to provide a operation section structure of a treatment instrument
for endoscopic use that can rotate a distal end structure easily.
[0007] The present invention is an operation section structure of a treatment instrument
for endoscopic use which includes: a distal end mechanism inserted into a body cavity
for conducting various intervention; a wire having a distal end connected to the distal
end mechanism; a tubular flexible sheath provided to an outer periphery of the wire;
a main unit having a distal end connected to the sheath; a sliding member made of
a conductive material, a proximal end of the wire being connected to the sliding member,
the sliding member being capable of sliding on the main unit in the longitudinal direction;
an operating member attached to the sliding member, the operating member being capable
of rotating relative to the sliding member in the circumferential direction; and a
current-carrying section provided to the operating member and having a conductive
section formed by a conductive material providing conductivity by making contact with
the sliding member.
[0008] According to the operation section structure of the treatment instrument for endoscopic
use of the present invention, operating and rotating the main unit causes the sliding
member, the wire, and the distal end mechanism to rotate without rotating the operating
member.
[0009] A handle capable of freely rotating around the main unit as a rotational axis may
be provided to a proximal end of the main unit.
[0010] The conductive section may be formed by bending a conductive plate material having
bending lines extending in a sliding direction of the sliding member. In addition,
the conductive section may be formed to include a spring made of a conductive material.
[0011] The treatment instrument for endoscopic use may be disposed inward relative to the
sheath and outward relative to the wire. A distal end may be fixed to the distal end
mechanism. A proximal end may have a coil sheath fixed to the main unit and be incapable
of rotating. The sliding member may be configured so that a first member and a second
member dispose the main unit to be fixed therebetween.
[0012] According to the operation section structure of the treatment instrument for endoscopic
use of the present invention, rotating the main unit while holding the operation section
allows the distal end mechanism to be rotated easily without rotating the operating
member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a treatment instrument for endoscopic use provided with an
operation section structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the treatment instrument for endoscopic use.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a current-carrying plug and a sliding member along
the line A-A in FIG 2.
FIG. 4 is a view showing the treatment instrument for endoscopic use inserted into
an endoscope.
FIG. 5 shows movement while using the treatment instrument for endoscopic use.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a treatment instrument for endoscopic use provided with an
operation section structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing the treatment instrument for endoscopic use.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a current-carrying plug viewed along the line
B-B in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 shows movement while using the treatment instrument for endoscopic use.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a treatment instrument for endoscopic use provided with
an operation section structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing the treatment instrument for endoscopic
use.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a current-carrying plug and a sliding member
along the line C-C in FIG 11.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a current-carrying plug and a sliding member
in a modified example of the present invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] An treatment instrument for endoscopic use provided with an operation section structure
according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference
to FIGS. 1 to 5.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a endoscopic-use instrument 1 provided with the operation
section structure of the present embodiment. The endoscopic-use instrument 1 is provided
with: a wire 3 having a hook knife 2 (distal end mechanism) attached to the distal
end of the wire 3; a sheath 4 surrounding the outer periphery of the wire 3; a main
unit 5 having the proximal end of the sheath 4 fixed thereto; and an operation section
6 having the proximal end of the wire 3 fixed thereto.
[0016] The hook knife 2 is formed by bending a head of a bar metal member by a length of
1.5 mm in right angle. The proximal end of the hook knife 2 is fixed to the wire 3.
The wire 3 made of metal, e.g., stainless steel is inserted through an elastic tubular
sheath 4 made from resin, etc.
[0017] The main unit 5 made of resin, etc. includes a pair of paralelly-disposed two-bar
lateral wall sections 7. A sheath fixture section 8 is fixed to the tip of the lateral
wall section 7 by an engagement mechanism, e.g., a groove, not shown in the drawing.
As shown in FIC. 2, the proximal end of the sheath 4 is connected to the sheath fixture
section 8 rotatably via a connecting member 8A disposed in the sheath fixture section
8.
[0018] A through-hole 9 is provided to the distal end of the sheath fixture section 8. The
wire 3 passing through the sheath 4, the connecting member 8A, and the through-hole
9 is introduced between the lateral wall sections 7. A finger during operation is
placed in a finger hook ring handle 10 provided to the proximal end of the main body
7.
[0019] The operation section 6 is provided with a freely slidable sliding member 11 attached
to the main unit 5; a freely rotatable operation member 12 attached to the outer periphery
of the sliding member 11; and a current-carrying plug (current-carrying section) 13
attached to the operation member 12 in configuration.
[0020] The substantially cylindrical sliding member 11 is made of a conductive material,
e.g., metal, etc. As shown in FIG 3, the wire 3 is fixed in a fixture hole 14 provided
in the center of a plane section of the sliding member 11. A pair of sliding holes
15 provided laterally relative to the fixture hole 14 allows the lateral wall sections
7 of the main unit to pass therethrough.
[0021] The lateral wall sections 7 of the main unit 5 are passed through the sliding holes
15 of the sliding member 11. A proximal end 3A of the wire 3 passing through the through-hole
9 of the sheath fixture section 8 is inserted into the fixture hole 14. The proximal
end 3A is fixed to the sliding member 11 by a screw 17 screwed into a screw hole 16
reaching from the outer periphery of the sliding member 11 to the fixture hole 14.
That is, the sliding member 11 fixed to the wire 3 unitarily and fixed to the main
unit 5 is capable of sliding at the lateral wall sections 7.
[0022] The operation member 12, made of resin, etc., has a front wall section 18 provided
distally relative to the sliding direction of the sliding member 11 and a rear wall
section 19 provided proximally relative to the sliding direction of the sliding member
11; a finger hook section 20 provided in the vicinity of the handle 10 relative to
the rear wall section 19; and a plug mount section 21 provided between the front wall
section 18 and the rear wall section 19 in configuration.
[0023] The front wall section 18 and the rear wall section 19 are disks each formed to have
a hole having substantially the same diameter as that of the main unit 5. The distally
located front wall section 18 and the proximally located rear wall section 19 fix
the sliding member 11 therebetween in the sliding direction of the sliding member
11. A cylindrical section 22 connecting the front wall section 18 to the rear wall
section 19 unitarily surrounds the outer periphery of the sliding member 11 between
these components.
[0024] The cylindrical finger hook section 20, made of resin, etc. and having a hole having
substantially the same diameter as that of the main unit 5, is provided together with
the rear wall section 19 unitarily in the vicinity of the handle 10 relative to the
rear wall section 19.
[0025] The cylindrically-formed plug mount section 21 extends outward from the outer periphery
of the cylindrical section 22 in the radial direction. A mount hole 23 allowing a
current-carrying plug 13 to be mounted thereinto is provided on the outer periphery
of the cylindrical section 22 surrounded by the plug mount section 21.
[0026] The distal end of the bar-shaped current-carrying plug 13 made of conductive material
is connected to a power supply which is not shown in the drawing. The current-carrying
plug 13 inserted and mounted in the mount hole 23 of the cylindrical section 22 is
fixed in the cylindrical section 22 by a flange fixture section 24. A conductive tongue
piece (conductive section) 25 provided to the end section in the vicinity of the sliding
member 11 of the current-carrying plug 13 obtains conductivity between the current-carrying
plug 13 and the sliding member 11.
[0027] Two ends of the conductive tongue piece 25 made of a conductive plate material are
fixed to the current-carrying plug 13 in a substantial ring shape. The conductive
tongue piece 25 is bent along bending lines 25A extending in the axial line direction
of the cylindrical section 22 in configuration. Bending work provided to the portion
between the bending lines 25A forms a curved surface 25B projecting toward the sliding
member 11. Resilience attempting to restore the bending line 25A into the initial
shape urges the curved surface 25B to make contact with the sliding member 11.
[0028] The operation member 12 and the current-carrying plug 13 as a whole fixed to the
sliding member 11 are capable of freely rotating around the axial line direction of
the main unit 5 relative to the main unit 5 and the sliding member 11.
[0029] Movement of the endoscopic-use instrument 1 having the aforementioned configuration
in use will be explained as follows.
[0030] In the beginning, the insertion section of an endoscope is inserted into the body
cavity of a patient, etc., and the distal end of the insertion section is moved to
the vicinity of an object tissue for intervention.
[0031] Placing a user's fingers onto the finger hook section 20 and the handle 10 and bringing
the operation member 12 to the handle 10 cause the distal end of the hook knife 2
to be enclosed in the sheath 4. The distal end of the sheath 4 is inserted from a
forceps port 101 opening on a maneuvering section of the endoscope 100 into an operation
channel 102 as illustrated in FIG. 4, and then the distal end of the sheath is projected
from the distal end of an insertion section 103.
[0032] Pushing the operation member 12 in the direction of the distal end of the endoscope
100 by the user causes the distal end of the hook knife 2 to be exposed from the sheath
4. Subsequently, an electric power cord, not shown in the drawing, is connected to
the distal end of the current-carrying plug 13.
[0033] The user, upon releasing a finger from the handle 10, rotates the main unit 5 around
the axial line direction by a desirable angle with another hand while keeping the
finger holding of the finger hook section 20. This results in causing the sliding
member 11 and the wire 3 fixed to the sliding member 11 to rotate together with the
main unit 5 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, thereby rotating the distal end of the hook
knife 2 attached to the distal end of the wire 3. The user, in an attempt to direct
the distal end of the hook knife 2 in a direction that facilitates intervention, adjusts
the rotation of the main unit 5 while observing the distal end of the hook knife 2
on an endoscopically obtained display image.
[0034] The operation member 12 capable of freely rotating relative to the main unit 5 and
the sliding member 11 does not rotate along with the rotation of the main unit 5.
In addition, resilience of a part of the bending line 25A urging the curved surface
25B of the conductive tongue piece 25 of the current-carrying plug 13 toward the sliding
member 11 provides regular contact obtains conductivity between the current-carrying
plug 13 and the sliding member 11.
[0035] After a desirable angle of the distal end of the hook knife 2 is obtained, the power
supply is turned on to supply electricity to the hook knife 2 via the current-carrying
plug 13, the sliding member 11, and the wire 3, and conducts intervention, e.g., tissue
incision, etc. is carried out.
[0036] The operation section 6 of the endoscopic-use instrument 1 according to the present
embodiment having the operation member 12 capable of freely rotating relative to the
sliding member 11 and the main unit 5 in the circumferential direction enables the
user with a finger placed on the finger hook section 20 and holding the operation
member 12 to rotate the main unit 5 to cause the hook knife 2 to be rotated.
[0037] In addition, the current-carrying plug 13 fixed to the operation member 12 prevents
a power cable connected to the current-carrying plug 13 from being entangled with
the operation member 12 and the main unit 5 while rotating the hook knife 2, thereby,
facilitating the rotational operation of the hook knife 2.
[0038] In addition, the curved surface 25B of the conductive tongue piece 25 provided to
the current-carrying plug 13 urged by resilience produced near the bending lines 25A
toward the sliding member 11 keeps contacting the sliding member 11, thereby preventing
the distal end of the conductive tongue piece 25 upon operating and rotating the main
unit 5 from hooking onto the sliding section 11, and obtaining conductivity between
the sliding member 11 and the current-carrying plug 13 for supplying electricity to
the hook knife 2.
[0039] In addition, the sheath 4 capable of freely rotating connected and relative to the
main unit 5 provides smooth rotation to the main unit 5 and the hook knife 2 of the
distal end of the wire 3 regardless of a possible case in which significant friction
is produced between the inner wall of the operation channel 102 of the endoscope 100
and the outer surface of the sheath 4.
[0040] A treatment instrument for endoscopic use provided with the operation section structure
according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained next with
reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. An endoscopic-use instrument 31 according to the present
invention differs from the endoscopic-use instrument 1 according to the aforementioned
first embodiment based on the configuration of the distal end mechanism, the structure
of a handle of the main unit, and the shape of a conductive section. Note that components
that are the same as those of the aforementioned endoscopic instrument 1 will be assigned
the same numeric symbols and common explanations thereof will be omitted.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, the distal end mechanism of the endoscopic-use instrument 31
is a snare loop 32. The end section of the snare loop 32 is connected to the wire
3. In addition, a handle 33 provided to the proximal end of the main unit 5 is attached
to be capable of freely rotating around the axial line relative to the main unit 5.
[0042] In addition, a current-carrying plug 34 has a fixture section 35 located inward relative
to the cylindrical section 22 as shown in FIG. 7. A part of the fixture section 35
bends and extends toward the sliding member 11. A distal end 35A extending from the
fixture section 35 enters between the sliding member 11 and the rear wall section
19 of the operation member 12 to make contact with the sliding member 11.
[0043] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the current-carrying plug 34 viewed along the
line B-B in FIG. 7. A pair of conductive tongue pieces 36 are provided to the end
section of the current-carrying plug 34 in the vicinity of the sliding member 11.
Each conductive tongue piece 36 bends in the vicinity of a midpoint 36A in the same
direction as that of the conductive tongue piece 25 of the first embodiment. Each
conductive tongue piece 36 making contact with the sliding member 11 in the vicinity
of the distal end obtains conductivity.
[0044] In addition, a spiral spring 37 provided between a section of the outer periphery
of the sliding member 11 opposite to the conductive tongue piece 36 and the cylindrical
section 22 urges the sliding member 11 toward the current-carrying plug 34.
[0045] Movement of the endoscopic-use instrument 31 having the aforementioned configuration
in use will be explained.
[0046] In the beginning, an endoscope is maneuvered similarly to the first embodiment to
be inserted into a body of a patient etc., and the distal end of the sheath 4 is inserted
from a forceps port 101 to project from the distal end of the insertion section 103.
[0047] Subsequently, moving the operation member 12 in the distal end direction of the main
unit 5 and exposing the snare loop 32 from the sheath 4 causes the snare loop 32 to
expand with its own resilience, thereby forming a loop plane 32A as shown in FIG.
6.
[0048] Adjusting this state of loop plane 32A into a direction desirable with respect to
a target site tissue necessitates rotating the main unit 5. The user using the endoscopic-use
instrument 31 of the present embodiment rotates only the main unit 5 by a hand while
holding the finger hook section 20 and the handle 33 with the fingers of the other
hand.
[0049] This results in causing the main unit 5, the sliding member 11, the wire 3, and the
snare loop 32 fixed to the distal end of the wire 3 to rotate unitarily, thereby changing
the direction of the loop plane 32A as shown in FIG. 9.
[0050] The main unit 5 may be rotated by holding and rotating a section between the operation
member 12 and the handle 33, or by holding and rotating a section in the vicinity
of the snare loop 32 relative to the operation member 12 as shown in FIG. 9.
[0051] The user, upon obtaining a desirable direction of the loop plane 32A with respect
to the tissue, conducts intervention by bringing the operation member 12 close to
the handle 33 while supplying electricity to the snare loop 32 by the same operation
as that of the first embodiment, and by closing the snare loop 32. This state of the
fixture section 35 of the current-carrying plug 34 entering between the sliding member
11 and the rear wall section 19 provides reliable conductivity between the current-carrying
plug 34 and the sliding member 11.
[0052] The endoscopic-use instrument 31 according to the present embodiment has not only
the operation member 12 but also the handle 33 that are capable of freely rotating
relative to the main unit 5 allows the user to change the direction of the snare loop
32 by rotating only the main unit 5 while holding the finger hook section 20 and the
handle 33. Consequently, the direction of the distal end mechanism can be adjusted
while fixing the correlation of the sheath 4 relative to the distal end mechanism
reliably.
[0053] In addition, the fixture section 35 of the current-carrying plug 34 entering between
the sliding member 11 and the rear wall section 19 provides reliable conductivity
between the current-carrying plug 34 and the sliding member 11 while moving the operation
member 12, thereby, enabling intervention using electricity in a stable state.
[0054] In addition, the spiral spring 37 provided between the section of the outer periphery
of the sliding member 11 opposite the conductive tongue piece 36 and the cylindrical
section 22 equalizes the force of the conductive tongue piece 36 pushing the sliding
member 11 with the force of the spiral spring 37 which is in-turn pushing the sliding
member 11, thereby, restricting axial deviation of the sliding member 11 relative
to the main unit 5 and preventing the sliding member 11 from wobbling, etc.
[0055] A treatment instrument for endoscopic use provided with the operation section structure
according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained next with
reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. An endoscopic-use instrument 41 according to the present
invention differs from the endoscopic-use instrument 1 according to the aforementioned
first embodiment based on the configuration of the distal end mechanism, the use of
two components to form a sliding member, and the shape of a conductive section.
[0056] Note that components that are the same as those of the aforementioned endoscopic
instrument 1 will be assigned the same numeric symbols and common explanations thereof
will be omitted.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, the distal end mechanism of the endoscopic-use instrument 41
is a commonly known configuration of a high-frequency forceps 44 having a pair of
forceps members 42 and a support member 43 supporting each forceps member 42 rotatably.
The support member 43 using a pin 45 supports each freely rotatable forceps member
42. A wire 46 according to the present embodiment includes two stranded metal wires.
The tip of each wire is connected to the proximal end of each forceps member 42. That
is, extending or retracting the wire 46 allows the pair of forceps members 42 to open
or close in configuration.
[0058] The support member 43 is fixed to the distal end of a coil sheath 47 formed by densely
wound metal wires by means of laser welding, brazing, soldering, or crimping, etc.
The wire 46 is inserted through the coil sheath 47, and the coil sheath 47 is inserted
through the sheath 4.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 11, the proximal end of the coil sheath 47 is fixed to a fastening
groove 49 provided to the distal end of a main unit 48. Also, the coil sheath 47 incapable
of rotating relative to the main unit 48 is fixed to a T-letter-shaped member 50 inserted
proximally. That is, rotating the main unit 48 causes the coil sheath 47 to rotate
accordingly. A cover 51 covers the coil sheath 47 and the T-letter-shaped member 50
that are disposed in the fastening groove 49.
[0060] A sliding member 52 according to the present embodiment has an outline that is the
same as that of the sliding member 11 according to the first embodiment. As shown
in FIG. 11, a first member 52A and a second member 52B are disposed to place a lateral
wall section 53 therebetween vertically in configuration.
[0061] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the sliding member 52 and a current-carrying
plug 54 viewed along the line C-C in FIG 11.
[0062] The present embodiment has a conductive tongue piece 55. The conductive tongue piece
55 fixed to the lower end of a proximal end 55A of the current-carrying plug 54 extends
outward in the width direction of the sliding member 52. Bending work provided to
the folded end section forms a downward projecting curved surface 55B. The conductive
tongue piece 55 making contact with the sliding member 52 on the curved surface 55B
obtains conductivity.
[0063] The endoscopic-use instrument 41 according to the present embodiment provided with
the coil sheath 47 incapable of rotating relative to the main unit 48 fixed to the
T-letter-shaped member 50 can adjust the direction of the distal end mechanism, e.g.,
the high-frequency forceps 44 using a coil sheath by rotating the main unit 48 without
re-grasping the operation member 12.
[0064] In addition, the conductive section formed by fixing only either one of the end sections55A
of the conductive tongue piece 55 provides a simple structure to the current-carrying
plug 54.
[0065] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described
above. Rather, various modifications may be added unless deviating from the spirit
of the invention.
[0066] The aforementioned embodiments each explained with reference to examples using a
conductive plate material for a conductive section may be replaced by a modified example
using a conductive section 60 including a spiral spring (spring) 61 made of a conductive
material as shown in FIG. 13. Providing a recessed section 62A for enclosing an end
section 61 A of the spiral spring 61 to the current-carrying plug 62 and disposing
a conductive member 63 having a substantial arch contact surface 63A and a cylindrical
section 63B for enclosing the other end section 61 B of the spiral spring between
the spiral spring 61 and the sliding member 11 provide reliable conductivity between
the sliding member 11 and the current-carrying plug, and a stable conductive section
in configuration.
[0067] Alternatively, the recessed section 62A or the conductive member 63 may not be provided,
and the conductive section 60 may be formed by only the spiral spring 61.
[0068] In contrast to each aforementioned embodiment explained with reference to the examples
provided with the current-carrying plug, a current-carrying plug may be omitted and
not be provided to a treatment instrument for endoscopic use provided with a distal
end mechanism in no need of conductivity.
[0069] In addition, each embodiment does not limit the distal end mechanism. The operation
section structure according to the present invention is adaptable to any distal end
mechanism requiring rotation for the desirable positioning thereof.
[0070] Furthermore, each aforementioned embodiment explained with reference to the example
associated with a lateral wall section forming the main unit almost fully may be replaced
by a configuration using a main unit having a shape, e.g., appropriate thickness,
that facilitates the holding of a constant proximal or distal portion of a operating
member and allowing a sliding member to slide on the rest of the portion. This results
in facilitating the rotational operation of the distal end mechanism.
[0071] The present invention is not limited to the above descriptions but is limited only
by the appended claims.